Poll: What’s Your Pubic Hair Style?

impoddity
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 11:15 am: [report]

A peer recently said that “completely bare” only reinforced the porn standard of perfection among women.  I kindly enlightened her about the difference in texture between her fine, straight European hair versus my dense, kinky African hair and the possibility of ingrown hairs in the pubic region.  That got her thinking about it from a different perspective.

cattgirl813
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 11:20 am: [report]

I once tried to take a little off the sides while I was in the bathtub and botched the job.  It was uneven and patchy, so I shaved myself clean.  I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either.  That is, I didn’t hate it until my hair started growing back in. I was dry, itchy (who knew how much hair itches when it grows back), and miserable.  I knew I couldn’t do that on the regular, so I suffered in silence for weeks until it all grew back.  I tip my hat to the ladies who can handle the landing strip, Brazilian, or whatever.  They’re much stronger and thick skinned than I am.  Now I just give myself a small (for lack of a better word) trim and leave the rest alone.

cattgirl813
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 11:23 am: [report]

@impoddity: Shaving anywhere increases the risk of ingrown hairs, especially if you have kinky or very curly hair.  You hear about it more with men because they shave their facial hair.  This is yet another reason why I leave the razor alone.  Why risk the discomfort and dermatological issues if you don’t have to?  The hair is there for a reason after all, so why disrupt nature’s design?

Humble Bee
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 11:33 am: [report]

@Cattgirl i’m the same! I mentioned that last time, these girls must have a lot of patience and time to groom themselves completely. It itches like a motha when it grows all back, like you I rather just trim, if I have a hot date maybe shave the sides. lol.

nikkialli
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 12:42 pm: [report]

I wear it however I feel like it. I usually take it all off and then let it grow until I feel like doing it again

bethlynn00
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 12:51 pm: [report]

@impoddity: If you just go natural you don’t have to worry about ingrown hairs, so think about it from that perspective. I also have have “dense, kinky African hair”? whatever that means, and I have no worries about in-grown hairs cause it’s au naturale and lovely, like it’s intended to be. And your friend has a point that the completely bare look is something that has been reinforced by porn standards of what women should look like, and it’s has been shown that the growth of the industry also was a contributor to the rise in labiaplasty surgeries as well. Why go thru all that? It’s such a waste of time and money anyways.

ACooper
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 12:52 pm: [report]

The first time I shaved, it itched like hell growing back…BUT…the more you shave, the less and less it itches.  Now, I shave when I feel like it and no problems!  You just have to get past that first time or two.  That is, if you want to go bare.  Don’t bother if not!

*sam*
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 12:54 pm: [report]

I have to admit that I’m an addict. I’m addicted to shaving. I have to keep mine completely bare at all times and if I go more than a day (2 at the ABSOLUTE most) then I go crazy. I’ve even gone so far as plucking any of the hairs that were too short for the razor to get. :(

This has caused me some SEVERE medical problems regarding ingrown hairs. A lady doc even told me that it was “medically necessary” for me to stop shaving, and rather only do a “light trim” instead, using my bf’s head clippers. However, as soon as I was able, I was back to the razor. I can’t help it, I just feel so much cleaner.

Though, when I get health insurance I am TOTALLY using that lady doc’s reasoning to see if I can’t get them to cover laser hair removal!!!

pinksatinsheets
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 01:09 pm: [report]

I’m in the same boat as *sam* regarding staying bare, except I opt for waxing (of the Brazilian variety), rather than shaving, since I don’t want to mess with razor burn. I just don’t like the way it feels when I’m all hairy down there. I like keeping things clean, smooth, and soft all over my body, and don’t see why it ‘reinforces porn standards’ to stay waxed. I do it for the same reason I shave my legs—I like having smooth, hairless skin.

cattgirl813
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 01:17 pm: [report]

@Humble Bee: I don’t even bother with the sides anymore.  Just try to keep it from getting too long.  I can’t take the itching.  Besides, the hair’s there for a reason right?

@*sam*: Clippers?  You have a very understanding bf and a very steady hand.

MuchoMacho
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 01:28 pm: [report]

i shave the coin purse and the base of my wang (yeah i went there) with a razor, and trim the rest back with clippers.  the bald vag look gets old after youve seen a few.  hair adds personality.

kitcat
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 02:11 pm: [report]

I usually trim just to keep it from getting out of hand, but last week I decided to be bold & got a Brazilian with a friend. The result? Definitely not a fan of the hairless-ness. Will probably continue to wax my bikini line, but as for the rest of it, sticking to my old routine

Aarlone
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 02:53 pm: [report]

I usually sport a landing strip, unless I really mess up the symmetry or the trimming, and then I go bare for a few weeks, just to not deal with it. I prefer to be smooth, and I’ve found a shave gel that I really love - ingrown hairs are pretty rare for me. I’m probably one of those lucky ones, I guess; I have some itchiness, but it’s never so bad that I have to step up my shaving routine to more than once a week.

I’d love to try a Brazilian wax job, but I’m too broke for that right now. =P

catscratchfever
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 05:19 pm: [report]

I don’t like shaving, so I think I’m going to start using this stuff to dye my hair.  Who needs to shave when you can have purple pubes?

*Sam* you may want to do some research on trichotillomania.  If you’re ignoring severe medical problems and the doctor’s orders for the purposes of feeling clean, that might be a sign that this is going far beyond your aesthetic preferences.

theattack
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 08:46 pm: [report]

Okay, so maybe shaving DOES reinforce porn perfection standards, and I’ve met plenty of jerk-off “men” that think women HAVE to be completely or mostly bare. But I see nothing wrong with doing it just because you want to.
Several years ago when I was first starting to become sexual, I wanted to try shaving some of it off and keeping a landing strip or a small patch, but I just got razor-happy and shaved all of it off. I’ve been shaving ever since because it feels uncomfortable when it grows for more than two days. I kind of want to try growing it out to see what that’s all about.

theattack
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 08:50 pm: [report]

Oh yeah, I also meant to say about reinforcing porn perfection…. I think if the guy insists that for you to be sexually valuable, or if he cuts down your sexual value based on keeping what’s natural on your body, there’s a problem, and he’s obviously a huge douche you should dump immediately. If you date nice guys, you’re probably not going to find that anyone EXPECTS you to shave/wax, and they may even be surprised if you do.

CaleeKay
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 09:21 pm: [report]

my option isnt on there. i dont have a certain type..
sometimes i shave it all, sometimes i wait a little too long, sometimes i trim.. so im all of the above. except the whole porn star shaving ish. im not that creepy.

*sam*
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 09:42 pm: [report]

@catscratchfever: to be honest, I wouldn’t doubt if I were diagnosed with that. I obsessivly pluck my eyebrows and my nose hairs as well… my poor bf has to deal with me attacking his as well (and he’s 1/2 Cuban, so he’s pretty hairy!)—but, in his defense, I do make *every* effort to keep it under control and actually do a very nice job with his eyebrows and nose hairs.

msu.umich
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 09:43 pm: [report]

occasionally over the last 15 years or so, I’ve tried waxing (at home and professionally), Nair-ing and shaving.  My problem with ALL of those methods is nasty growback - either shaving bumps or hair so lethally stubby I feel like I’ve got a Wolverine action figure hidden in my draws.

Any tips OTHER than being happy with what God gave me?  Because I am, but occasionally I want something diff.  In the words of the immortal Dorothy Zbornak: Who are you to JUDGE ME!?! 

*sam*
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 09:50 pm: [report]

@msu.umich: my only advise is to keep it shaved/waxed/naired VERY regularly—the grow back can’t irritate you if you don’t give it enough time to do so

however, if you read above, I’m probably not the best person to take that advice from

msu.umich
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 10:01 pm: [report]

oh *sam*, i lurves your comments. 

msu.umich
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 10:04 pm: [report]

*sam* - particularly because we have a similar motif going in our profile pics

*sam*
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 10:07 pm: [report]

@msu.umich: :D yay for rainbows!!!

AnitaBath
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 10:13 pm: [report]

I’ve tried shaving it all off a few times, and it just made me miserable. It was okay for maybe a day (at most), and then it started growing in and it was so painful and itchy. If I tried to shave again shortly after, I’d BLEED! I think it had something to do with all the ingrown hairs.

So, yeah, it’s not worth it for me. I wish I was like some women and could do it without much of a hassle because I think I’d really like it, but there’s just honestly no way. So I just keep it nicely trimmed and shave the sides (even though I still get ingrown hairs and can’t shave too often). I figured my guy would much rather see some well-trimmed hair than something that was completely bare, red, bumpy, and angry looking.

impoddity
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 10:16 pm: [report]

@*sam*: I pluck as well.  Getting the Brazilian was the only thing that would help me stop.  I’m currently eyebrow-less and eyelash-less.  I hide the tweezers and keep my fingernails trimmed down to the quick.  I have not, however, ever pulled out anyone else’s hair.  I just don’t think it would be the same.  Plus nose hair hurts too much. 

I’ve had ingrown hairs my entire life.  I get them in my armpits, scalp, nose, legs and pubic region.  At least with waxing I can save myself the week or so of suffering it takes for the welt to subside.  I’ve even gotten infected hairs in my pubic region.  Try sitting on that one for an hour and then tell me you won’t go screaming to your nearest waxing salon.

*note for itchy grow-back* Benadryl cream!!

*sam*
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 10:28 pm: [report]

@impoddity: re infected hairs in your pubic region—that *was* my “severe medical problem” only, they formed into an abscess (or two) so severe that I couldn’t walk.  seriously not something I would wish on my worst enemy! worst experience(s) of my life!! >_<

NaomiK
wrote on October 22 2009 @ 11:12 pm: [report]

Oh, thank goodness I’m not the only one that’s gotten infected ingrown pubic hairs. I also get rashy irritated armpit stubble (TMI?). I’ve tried everything but an epilator at this point…

bettyboo
wrote on October 23 2009 @ 05:20 am: [report]

I have to say, i don’t get all this pubic shaving/topiary business… am i the only one who finds completely hairless genitals on an adult man or woman completely repellent?  just looks wrong to me, far too close to prepubescent..  even the brazilian etc leave me cold, and things like hearts/ zigzags etc just sound odd.. I got talked (read nagged)  into shaving it once by a now ex and I hated it, I looked all wrong and i itched almost immediately .. I much prefer my curly little bush, and so does my man (I’m very happy with his hairy bits staying hairy too, i don’t see what all the hair in mouth fuss is about, ), the only trimming i can ever see myself doing is a little neatening if i became more hirsute down there and they were escaping from panties or swimming costumes..

_jsw_
wrote on October 23 2009 @ 11:45 am: [report]

I wish I’d tracked these numbers as time went on. The rate of change of various options might show how various time zones tend to be. IIRC, the “Brazilian” numbers shot up when the West Coast went fully online.

Or maybe it was National Get Waxed At Midnight Greenwich Mean Time Then Post On TheFrisky Day (I never get the memos), so the bump was due to that.

NaomiK
wrote on October 23 2009 @ 12:38 pm: [report]

@JSW LOL I want to see the hallmark card for that holiday.

_jsw_
wrote on October 23 2009 @ 12:49 pm: [report]

@NaomiK: There’s not much to see. The card is completely bare.

fosjoh
wrote on October 23 2009 @ 10:34 pm: [report]

The ingrown hairs can often be prevented by using a buff-puff and vigorously rubbing the shaved area after shaving. Repeat the next day as well and you should not get any ingrown hairs.

robf
wrote on October 24 2009 @ 09:18 am: [report]

Am I the only “old school” guy left who actually thinks pubic hair is sexy?  I’m still on the good side of 40, so I don’t think I’m THAT old.

@bettyboo: I’m kind of with you, the completely shaved look strikes me as far too close to prepubescent.

hey_tsu
wrote on October 24 2009 @ 01:34 pm: [report]

You gotta take it off! I don’t mind hair on guys—actually I prefer it, but as for me I like it bald. Funny thing is I caught like 30 seconds of a porn when I was 12 or 13 and I fell in love with the starlets vag. It was so ‘pretty’ to me (lol), that as soon as I was able to shave I got rid of all my pubic hair and it’s been that way ever since!

Shasta
wrote on October 25 2009 @ 06:58 pm: [report]

Mmm. 

I like a little cover.  I Nair things.  Once I discovered it wouldn’t eat away my mucous membranes, I was all over it.  The new Nair doesn’t smell and is pretty quick.

If a guy really wanted me to go bare I would, but I’m not all that attractive bald.

Who wears short shorts?  We wear short shorts!!

wonderfultonight
wrote on October 26 2009 @ 12:18 am: [report]

Other than the bikini line, I stay natural, and my bf prefers me that way. I did shave a heart for Valentine’s Day and he liked it a lot, but oh, the pain from the “whisker burn.” (You know what I mean.lol) After that experience, he told me it “was a nice surprise,” but he wanted me the way nature made me.